[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 77 (Tuesday, May 19, 2015)]
[House]
[Pages H3367-H3373]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        WEATHER RESEARCH AND FORECASTING INNOVATION ACT OF 2015

  Mr. SMITH of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass 
the bill (H.R. 1561) to improve the National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration's weather research through a focused program of 
investment on affordable and attainable advances in observational, 
computing, and modeling capabilities to support substantial improvement 
in weather forecasting and prediction of high impact weather events, to 
expand commercial opportunities for the provision of weather data, and 
for other purposes, as amended.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of the bill is as follows:

                               H.R. 1561

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

       This Act may be cited as the ``Weather Research and 
     Forecasting Innovation Act of 2015''.

     SEC. 2. PUBLIC SAFETY PRIORITY.

       In accordance with NOAA's critical mission to provide 
     science, service, and stewardship, the Under Secretary shall 
     prioritize weather research, across all weather programs, to 
     improve weather data, forecasts, and warnings for the 
     protection of life and property and the enhancement of the 
     national economy.

     SEC. 3. WEATHER RESEARCH AND FORECASTING INNOVATION.

       (a) Program.--The Assistant Administrator for OAR shall 
     conduct a program to develop improved understanding of and 
     forecast capabilities for atmospheric events and their 
     impacts, placing priority on developing more accurate, 
     timely, and effective warnings and fore-casts of high impact 
     weather events that endanger life and property.
       (b) Program Elements.--The program described in subsection 
     (a) shall focus on the following activities:
       (1) Improving the fundamental understanding of weather 
     consistent with section

[[Page H3368]]

     2, including the boundary layer and other atmospheric 
     processes affecting high impact weather events.
       (2) Improving the understanding of how the public receives, 
     interprets, and responds to warnings and forecasts of high 
     impact weather events that endanger life and property.
       (3) Research and development, and transfer of knowledge, 
     technologies, and applications to the NWS and other 
     appropriate agencies and entities, including the American 
     weather industry and academic partners, related to--
       (A) advanced radar, radar networking technologies, and 
     other ground-based technologies, including those emphasizing 
     rapid, fine-scale sensing of the boundary layer and lower 
     troposphere, and the use of innovative, dual-polarization, 
     phased array technologies;
       (B) aerial weather observing systems;
       (C) high performance computing and information technology 
     and wireless communication networks;
       (D) advanced numerical weather prediction systems and 
     forecasting tools and techniques that improve the forecasting 
     of timing, track, intensity, and severity of high impact 
     weather, including through--
       (i) the development of more effective mesoscale models;
       (ii) more effective use of existing, and the development of 
     new, regional and national cloud-resolving models;
       (iii) enhanced global weather models; and
       (iv) integrated assessment models;
       (E) quantitative assessment tools for measuring the impact 
     and value of data and observing systems, including OSSEs (as 
     described in section 8), OSEs, and AOAs;
       (F) atmospheric chemistry and interactions essential to 
     accurately characterizing atmospheric composition and 
     predicting meteorological processes, including cloud 
     microphysical, precipitation, and atmospheric electrification 
     processes, to more effectively understand their role in 
     severe weather; and
       (G) additional sources of weather data and information, 
     including commercial observing systems.
       (4) A technology transfer initiative, carried out jointly 
     and in coordination with the Assistant Administrator for NWS, 
     and in cooperation with the American weather industry and 
     academic partners, to ensure continuous development and 
     transition of the latest scientific and technological 
     advances into NWS operations and to establish a process to 
     sunset outdated and expensive operational methods and tools 
     to enable cost-effective transfer of new methods and tools 
     into operations.
       (c) Extramural Research.--
       (1) In general.--In carrying out the program under this 
     section, the Assistant Administrator for OAR shall 
     collaborate with and support the non-Federal weather research 
     community, which includes institutions of higher education, 
     private entities, and nongovernmental organizations, by 
     making funds available through competitive grants, contracts, 
     and cooperative agreements.
       (2) Sense of congress.--It is the sense of Congress that 
     not less than 30 percent of the funds for weather research 
     and development at OAR should be made available for the 
     purpose described in paragraph (1).
       (d) Report.--The Under Secretary shall transmit to Congress 
     annually, concurrently with NOAA's budget request, a 
     description of current and planned activities under this 
     section.

     SEC. 4. TORNADO WARNING IMPROVEMENT AND EXTENSION PROGRAM.

       (a) In General.--The Under Secretary, in collaboration with 
     the American weather industry and academic partners, shall 
     establish a tornado warning improvement and extension 
     program.
       (b) Goal.--The goal of such program shall be to reduce the 
     loss of life and economic losses from tornadoes through the 
     development and extension of accurate, effective, and timely 
     tornado forecasts, predictions, and warnings, including the 
     prediction of tornadoes beyond one hour in advance.
       (c) Program Plan.--Not later than 6 months after the date 
     of enactment of this Act, the Assistant Administrator for 
     OAR, in coordination with the Assistant Administrator for 
     NWS, shall develop a program plan that details the specific 
     research, development, and technology transfer activities, as 
     well as corresponding resources and timelines, necessary to 
     achieve the program goal.
       (d) Budget for Plan.--Following completion of the plan, the 
     Under Secretary, acting through the Assistant Administrator 
     for OAR, in coordination with the Assistant Administrator for 
     NWS, shall transmit annually to Congress a proposed budget 
     corresponding to the activities identified in the plan.

     SEC. 5. HURRICANE FORECAST IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM.

       (a) In General.--The Under Secretary, in collaboration with 
     the American weather industry and academic partners, shall 
     maintain the Hurricane Forecast Improvement Program (HFIP).
       (b) Goal.--The goal of such program shall be to develop and 
     extend accurate hurricane forecasts and warnings in order to 
     reduce loss of life, injury, and damage to the economy.
       (c) Program Plan.--Not later than 6 months after the date 
     of enactment of this Act, the Assistant Administrator for 
     OAR, in consultation with the Assistant Administrator for 
     NWS, shall develop a program plan that details the specific 
     research, development, and technology transfer activities, as 
     well as corresponding resources and timelines, necessary to 
     achieve the program goal.
       (d) Budget for Plan.--Following completion of the plan, the 
     Under Secretary, acting through the Assistant Administrator 
     for OAR, in consultation with the Assistant Administrator for 
     NWS, shall transmit annually to Congress a proposed budget 
     corresponding to the activities identified in the plan.

     SEC. 6. WEATHER RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT PLANNING.

       Not later than 6 months after the date of enactment of this 
     Act, and annually thereafter, the Under Secretary, acting 
     through the Assistant Administrator for OAR, in coordination 
     with the Assistant Administrators for NWS and NESDIS, shall 
     issue a research and development and research to operations 
     plan to restore and maintain United States leadership in 
     numerical weather prediction and forecasting that--
       (1) describes the forecasting skill and technology goals, 
     objectives, and progress of NOAA in carrying out the program 
     conducted under section 3;
       (2) identifies and prioritizes specific research and 
     development activities, and performance metrics, weighted to 
     meet the operational weather mission of NWS to achieve a 
     weather-ready Nation;
       (3) describes how the program will collaborate with 
     stakeholders, including the American weather industry and 
     academic partners; and
       (4) identifies, through consultation with the National 
     Science Foundation, American weather industry, and academic 
     partners, research necessary to enhance the integration of 
     social science knowledge into weather forecast and warning 
     processes, including to improve the communication of threat 
     information necessary to enable improved severe weather 
     planning and decisionmaking on the part of individuals and 
     communities.

     SEC. 7. OBSERVING SYSTEM PLANNING.

       The Under Secretary shall--
       (1) develop and maintain a prioritized list of observation 
     data requirements necessary to ensure weather forecasting 
     capabilities to protect life and property to the maximum 
     extent practicable;
       (2) undertake, using OSSEs, OSEs, AOAs, and other 
     appropriate assessment tools, ongoing systematic evaluations 
     of the combination of observing systems, data, and 
     information needed to meet the requirements listed under 
     paragraph (1), assessing various options to maximize 
     observational capabilities and their cost-effectiveness;
       (3) identify current and potential future data gaps in 
     observing capabilities related to the requirements listed 
     under paragraph (1); and
       (4) determine a range of options to address gaps identified 
     under paragraph (3).

     SEC. 8. OBSERVING SYSTEM SIMULATION EXPERIMENTS.

       (a) In General.--In support of the requirements of section 
     7, the Assistant Administrator for OAR shall undertake OSSEs 
     to quantitatively assess the relative value and benefits of 
     observing capabilities and systems. Technical and scientific 
     OSSE evaluations--
       (1) may include assessments of the impact of observing 
     capabilities on--
       (A) global weather prediction;
       (B) hurricane track and intensity forecasting;
       (C) tornado warning lead times and accuracy;
       (D) prediction of mid-latitude severe local storm 
     outbreaks; and
       (E) prediction of storms that have the potential to cause 
     extreme precipitation and flooding lasting from 6 hours to 1 
     week; and
       (2) shall be conducted in cooperation with other 
     appropriate entities within NOAA, other Federal agencies, the 
     American weather industry, and academic partners to ensure 
     the technical and scientific merit of OSSE results.
       (b) Requirements.--OSSEs shall quantitatively--
       (1) determine the potential impact of proposed space-based, 
     suborbital, and in situ observing systems on analyses and 
     forecasts, including potential impacts on extreme weather 
     events across all parts of the Nation;
       (2) evaluate and compare observing system design options; 
     and
       (3) assess the relative capabilities and costs of various 
     observing systems and combinations of observing systems in 
     providing data necessary to protect life and property.
       (c) Implementation.--OSSEs--
       (1) shall be conducted prior to the acquisition of major 
     Government-owned or Government-leased operational observing 
     systems, including polar-orbiting and geostationary satellite 
     systems, with a lifecycle cost of more than $500,000,000; and
       (2) shall be conducted prior to the purchase of any major 
     new commercially provided data with a lifecycle cost of more 
     than $500,000,000.
       (d) Priority OSSEs.--
       (1) Global navigation satellite system radio occultation.--
     Not later than December 31, 2015, the Assistant Administrator 
     for OAR shall complete an OSSE to assess the value of data 
     from Global Navigation Satellite System Radio Occultation.
       (2) Geostationary hyperspectral sounder global 
     constellation.--Not later than

[[Page H3369]]

     December 31, 2016, the Assistant Administrator for OAR shall 
     complete an OSSE to assess the value of data from a 
     geostationary hyperspectral sounder global constellation.
       (e) Results.--Upon completion of all OSSEs, results shall 
     be publicly released and accompanied by an assessment of 
     related private and public sector weather data sourcing 
     options, including their availability, affordability, and 
     cost effectiveness. Such assessments shall be developed in 
     accordance with section 50503 of title 51, United States 
     Code.

     SEC. 9. COMPUTING RESOURCES PRIORITIZATION REPORT.

       Not later than 12 months after the date of enactment of 
     this Act, and annually thereafter, the Under Secretary, 
     acting through the NOAA Chief Information Officer, in 
     coordination with the Assistant Administrator for OAR and the 
     Assistant Administrator for NWS, shall produce and make 
     publicly available a report that explains how NOAA intends 
     to--
       (1) continually support upgrades to pursue the fastest, 
     most powerful, and cost effective high performance computing 
     technologies in support of its weather prediction mission;
       (2) ensure a balance between the research to operations 
     requirements to develop the next generation of regional and 
     global models as well as highly reliable operational models;
       (3) take advantage of advanced development concepts to, as 
     appropriate, make next generation weather prediction models 
     available in beta-test mode to operational forecasters, the 
     American weather industry, and partners in academic and 
     government research; and
       (4) use existing computing resources to improve advanced 
     research and operational weather prediction.

     SEC. 10. COMMERCIAL WEATHER DATA.

       (a) Amendment.--Section 60161 of title 51, United States 
     Code, is amended by adding at the end the following: ``This 
     prohibition shall not extend to--
       ``(1) the purchase of weather data through contracts with 
     commercial providers; or
       ``(2) the placement of weather satellite instruments on 
     cohosted government or private payloads.''.
       (b) Strategy.--
       (1) In general.--Not later than 6 months after the date of 
     enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Commerce, in 
     consultation with the Under Secretary, shall transmit to the 
     Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the House of 
     Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
     Transportation of the Senate a strategy to enable the 
     procurement of quality commercial weather data. The strategy 
     shall assess the range of commercial opportunities, including 
     public-private partnerships, for obtaining surface-based, 
     aviation-based, and space-based weather observations. The 
     strategy shall include the expected cost effectiveness of 
     these opportunities as well as provide a plan for procuring 
     data, including an expected implementation timeline, from 
     these nongovernmental sources, as appropriate.
       (2) Requirements.--The strategy shall include--
       (A) an analysis of financial or other benefits to, and 
     risks associated with, acquiring commercial weather data or 
     services, including through multiyear acquisition approaches;
       (B) an identification of methods to address planning, 
     programming, budgeting, and execution challenges to such 
     approaches, including--
       (i) how standards will be set to ensure that data is 
     reliable and effective;
       (ii) how data may be acquired through commercial 
     experimental or innovative techniques and then evaluated for 
     integration into operational use;
       (iii) how to guarantee public access to all forecast-
     critical data to ensure that the American weather industry 
     and the public continue to have access to information 
     critical to their work; and
       (iv) in accordance with section 50503 of title 51, United 
     States Code, methods to address potential termination 
     liability or cancellation costs associated with weather data 
     or service contracts; and
       (C) an identification of any changes needed in the 
     requirements development and approval processes of the 
     Department of Commerce to facilitate effective and efficient 
     implementation of such strategy.
       (3) Authority for agreements.--The Assistant Administrator 
     for NESDIS may enter into multiyear agreements necessary to 
     carry out the strategy developed under this subsection.
       (c) Pilot Program.--
       (1) Criteria.--Not later than December 31, 2015, NOAA shall 
     publish data standards and specifications for space-based 
     commercial weather data.
       (2) Pilot contract.--
       (A) Contract.--Not later than October 1, 2016, NOAA shall, 
     through an open competition, enter into at least one pilot 
     contract with a private sector entity capable of providing 
     data that meet the standards and specifications set by NOAA 
     to provide commercial weather data in a manner that allows 
     NOAA to calibrate and evaluate the data.
       (B) Assessment of data viability.--Not later than October 
     1, 2019, NOAA shall transmit to Congress the results of a 
     determination of the extent to which data provided under the 
     contract entered into under subparagraph (A) meet the 
     criteria published under paragraph (1).
       (3) Obtaining future data.--NOAA shall, to the extent 
     feasible, obtain commercial weather data from private sector 
     providers.
       (4) Authorization of appropriations.--There are authorized 
     to be appropriated out of funds made available for 
     procurement, acquisition, and construction at NESDIS, 
     $9,000,000 for carrying out this subsection.

     SEC. 11. ENVIRONMENTAL INFORMATION SERVICES WORKING GROUP.

       (a) Establishment.--The NOAA Science Advisory Board shall 
     continue to maintain a standing working group named the 
     Environmental Information Services Working Group (in this 
     section referred to as the ``Working Group'') to--
       (1) provide advice for prioritizing weather research 
     initiatives at NOAA to produce real improvement in weather 
     forecasting;
       (2) provide advice on existing or emerging technologies or 
     techniques that can be found in private industry or the 
     research community that could be incorporated into 
     forecasting at NWS to improve forecasting skill;
       (3) identify opportunities to improve communications 
     between weather forecasters, Federal, State, local, tribal, 
     and other emergency management personnel, and the public; and 
     to improve communications and partnerships among NOAA and the 
     private and academic sectors; and
       (4) address such other matters as the Science Advisory 
     Board requests of the Working Group.
       (b) Composition.--
       (1) In general.--The Working Group shall be composed of 
     leading experts and innovators from all relevant fields of 
     science and engineering including atmospheric chemistry, 
     atmospheric physics, meteorology, hydrology, social science, 
     risk communications, electrical engineering, and computer 
     sciences. In carrying out this section, the Working Group may 
     organize into subpanels.
       (2) Number.--The Working Group shall be composed of no 
     fewer than 15 members. Nominees for the Working Group may be 
     forwarded by the Working Group for approval by the Science 
     Advisory Board. Members of the Working Group may choose a 
     chair (or co-chairs) from among their number with approval by 
     the Science Advisory Board.
       (c) Annual Report.--The Working Group shall transmit 
     annually to the Science Advisory Board for submission to the 
     Under Secretary a report on progress made by NOAA in adopting 
     the Working Group's recommendations. The Science Advisory 
     Board shall transmit this report to the Under Secretary. 
     Within 30 days of receipt of such report, the Under Secretary 
     shall transmit it to the Committee on Science, Space, and 
     Technology of the House of Representatives and the Committee 
     on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate.

     SEC. 12. INTERAGENCY WEATHER RESEARCH AND INNOVATION 
                   COORDINATION.

       (a) Establishment.--The Director of the Office of Science 
     and Technology Policy shall establish an Inter-agency 
     Committee for Advancing Weather Services to improve 
     coordination of relevant weather research and forecast 
     innovation activities across the Federal Government. The 
     Interagency Committee shall--
       (1) include participation by the National Aeronautics and 
     Space Administration, the Federal Aviation Administration, 
     NOAA and its constituent elements, the National Science 
     Foundation, and such other agencies involved in weather 
     forecasting research as the President determines are 
     appropriate;
       (2) identify and prioritize top forecast needs and 
     coordinate those needs against budget requests and program 
     initiatives across participating offices and agencies; and
       (3) share information regarding operational needs and 
     forecasting improvements across relevant agencies.
       (b) Co-chair.--The Federal Coordinator for Meteorology 
     shall serve as a co-chair of this panel.
       (c) Further Coordination.--The Director shall take such 
     other steps as are necessary to coordinate the activities of 
     the Federal Government with those of the American weather 
     industry, State governments, emergency managers, and academic 
     researchers.

     SEC. 13. OAR AND NWS EXCHANGE PROGRAM.

       (a) In General.--The Assistant Administrator for OAR and 
     the Assistant Administrator for NWS may establish a program 
     to detail OAR personnel to the NWS and NWS personnel to OAR.
       (b) Goal.--The goal of this program is to enhance 
     forecasting innovation through regular, direct interaction 
     between OAR's world-class scientists and NWS's operational 
     staff.
       (c) Elements.--The program shall allow up to 10 OAR staff 
     and NWS staff to spend up to 1 year on detail. Candidates 
     shall be jointly selected by the Assistant Administrator for 
     OAR and the Assistant Administrator for NWS.
       (d) Report.--The Under Secretary shall report annually to 
     the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the House 
     of Representatives and to the Committee on Commerce, Science, 
     and Transportation of the Senate on participation in such 
     program and shall highlight any innovations that come from 
     this interaction.

     SEC. 14. VISITING FELLOWS AT NWS.

       (a) In General.--The Assistant Administrator for NWS may 
     establish a program to host postdoctoral fellows and academic 
     researchers at any of the National Centers for Environmental 
     Prediction.

[[Page H3370]]

       (b) Goal.--This program shall be designed to provide direct 
     interaction between forecasters and talented academic and 
     private sector researchers in an effort to bring innovation 
     to forecasting tools and techniques available to the NWS.
       (c) Selection and Appointment.--Such fellows shall be 
     competitively selected and appointed for a term not to exceed 
     1 year.

     SEC. 15. NOAA WEATHER READY ALL HAZARDS AWARD PROGRAM.

       (a) Program.--The Assistant Administrator for NWS is 
     authorized to establish the NOAA Weather Ready All Hazards 
     Award Program. This award program shall provide annual awards 
     to honor individuals or organizations that use or provide 
     NOAA Weather Radio All Hazards receivers or transmitters to 
     save lives and protect property. Individuals or organizations 
     that utilize other early warning tools or applications also 
     qualify for this award.
       (b) Goal.--This award program draws attention to the life-
     saving work of the NOAA Weather Ready All Hazards Program, as 
     well as emerging tools and applications, that provide real-
     time warning to individuals and communities of severe weather 
     or other hazardous conditions.
       (c) Program Elements.--
       (1) Nominations.--Nominations for this award shall be made 
     annually by the Weather Field Offices to the Assistant 
     Administrator for NWS. Broadcast meteorologists, weather 
     radio manufacturers and weather warning tool and application 
     developers, emergency managers and public safety officials 
     may nominate individuals and/or organizations to their local 
     Weather Field Offices, but the final list of award nominees 
     must come from the Weather Field Offices.
       (2) Selection of awardees.--Annually, the Assistant 
     Administrator for NWS shall choose winners of this award 
     whose timely actions, based on NOAA weather radio all hazards 
     receivers or transmitters or other early warning tools and 
     applications, saved lives and/or property or demonstrated 
     public service in support of weather or all hazard warnings.
       (3) Award ceremony.--The Assistant Administrator for NWS 
     shall establish a means of making these awards to provide 
     maximum public awareness of the importance of NOAA Weather 
     Radio, and such other warning tools and applications as are 
     represented in the awards.

     SEC. 16. DEFINITIONS.

       In this Act:
       (1) AOA.--The term ``AOA'' means an Analysis of 
     Alternatives.
       (2) NESDIS.--The term ``NESDIS'' means the National 
     Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service.
       (3) NOAA.--The term ``NOAA'' means the National Oceanic and 
     Atmospheric Administration.
       (4) NWS.--The term ``NWS'' means the National Weather 
     Service.
       (5) OAR.--The term ``OAR'' means the Office of Oceanic and 
     Atmospheric Research.
       (6) OSE.--The term ``OSE'' means an Observing System 
     Experiment.
       (7) OSSE.--The term ``OSSE'' means an Observing System 
     Simulation Experiment.
       (8) Under secretary.--The term ``Under Secretary'' means 
     the Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere.

     SEC. 17. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

       (a) Fiscal Year 2015.--There are authorized to be 
     appropriated for fiscal year 2015--
       (1) $90,800,000 to OAR to carry out this Act, of which--
       (A) $70,000,000 is authorized for weather laboratories and 
     cooperative institutes; and
       (B) $20,800,000 is authorized for weather and air chemistry 
     research programs; and
       (2) out of funds made available for research and 
     development at NOAA, an additional amount of $16,000,000 for 
     OAR to carry out the joint technology transfer initiative 
     described in section 3(b)(4).
       (b) Fiscal Years 2016 and 2017.--For each of fiscal years 
     2016 and 2017, there are authorized to be appropriated to 
     OAR--
       (1) $100,000,000 to carry out this Act, of which--
       (A) $80,000,000 is authorized for weather laboratories and 
     cooperative institutes; and
       (B) $20,000,000 is authorized for weather and air chemistry 
     research programs; and
       (2) an additional amount of $20,000,000 for the joint 
     technology transfer initiative described in section 3(b)(4).
       (c) Limitation.--No additional funds are authorized to 
     carry out this Act, and the amendments made by this Act.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Texas (Mr. Smith) and the gentlewoman from Oregon (Ms. Bonamici) each 
will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Texas.


                             General Leave

  Mr. SMITH of Texas. I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 
5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and to include 
extraneous material on H.R. 1561, the bill now under consideration.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Texas?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. SMITH of Texas. I yield such time as he may consume to the 
gentleman from Oklahoma (Mr. Lucas), who is the vice chairman of the 
Science, Space, and Technology Committee, and the sponsor of this 
legislation.
  Mr. LUCAS. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the gentleman from Texas, 
Chairman Smith, for his continued leadership on the Committee on 
Science, Space, and Technology.
  H.R. 1561, the Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation Act of 
2015, prioritizes the protection of life and property at the National 
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration by focusing research and 
computing resources on improving weather forecasting, quantitative 
observing data planning, Next Generation modeling, and an emphasis on 
research to operations technology transfer.
  I echo Chairman Smith's concerns that severe weather greatly affects 
large parts of the country, and as a Representative from Oklahoma, I 
understand the need for improvement firsthand. In 2013, the deadly 
storms in my home State were a stark reminder that we can do better to 
predict severe weather events and provide longer lead times to protect 
Americans in harm's way.
  I am proud that this legislation has a dedicated tornado warning 
improvement Program. The goal of this program is to reduce the loss 
from tornadoes by advancing the understanding of fundamental 
meteorological science, allowing detection and notifications that are 
more accurate, effective, and timely.
  Constituents in my home State will benefit greatly from longer 
tornado warning lead times, which will save lives and better protect 
property. H.R. 1561 makes clear that NOAA will prioritize weather 
research and protect lives and property through a focused, affordable, 
attainable, and forward-looking research plan at the agency's research 
office.
  This bill also helps encourage innovation and new capacities 
developed through NOAA's Weather Research Program, like creating a 
joint technology transfer from the Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Research. This transfer is essential to get new forecasting models and 
technologies out of the research side of NOAA and into our operational 
forecast.
  This bill directs NOAA to develop plans to restore our country's 
leadership in weather forecasting. It is no secret that many people in 
our weather community are distraught that our forecasting capacities 
have deteriorated in recent years. While other countries are making 
great strides in weather advancements, Americans are paying the price 
for lost leadership with their lives and their wallets. This is another 
reminder that we can do better.
  This bill prompts NOAA to actively consider new commercial data and 
private sector solutions to further enhance our weather forecasting 
capacities. This legislation includes a pilot program which will 
provide NOAA a clear and credible demonstration of the valuable data 
from commercial technologies available today.
  This legislation is substantially similar to last year's bipartisan 
Weather Forecasting Improvement Act, which passed the House by a voice 
vote. The bill before us today updates authorization numbers to reflect 
current spending levels, adjusts dates to reflect current operating 
status, and incorporates minor additions and technical changes to 
improve the bill's clarity and intent.
  This legislation is the result of a bipartisan agreement last year 
and again this year. I want to thank the gentleman from Oklahoma (Mr. 
Bridenstine), the Subcommittee on Environment chairman, for his active 
leadership on this issue in the last Congress and for getting us here 
today.
  I also want to thank the ranking member of the Subcommittee on 
Environment, the gentlewoman from Oregon (Ms. Bonamici), for her 
efforts in crafting a bipartisan agreement and joining in this most 
worthwhile initiative to save American lives and property through 
better weather forecasting.
  Finally, the Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation Act has 
received numerous letters of support which I would like to mention, 
including letters from Utah State University, Space Environment 
Technologies, Metro Weather, Utah Science Technology and Research 
Initiative.

[[Page H3371]]

  Once again, it is a good bill. It has been worked on diligently. We 
need to pass it.
  Ms. BONAMICI. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  I rise in support of H.R. 1561, the Weather Research and Forecasting 
Innovation Act of 2015. This bill, introduced by my friend, Mr. Lucas, 
builds on the work that subcommittee chairman Mr. Bridenstine and 
former subcommittee chairman Mr. Stewart and I did in the last 
Congress.
  The language before us today is the result of a truly bipartisan 
effort with extensive discussions and negotiations across the aisle. 
Although the bill is not perfect, it is a good bill and a better bill 
than the one that passed in the last Congress, and I ask all my 
colleagues to support it.
  The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has many 
important tasks at the cutting edge of science and service. The 
agency's responsibilities for weather forecasting are critical to our 
country.
  We are proud of the good work of NOAA and its dedicated employees. 
They are a committed workforce, responsible for keeping our communities 
safe during inclement weather.
  But with the increasing frequency of severe weather events, there can 
and should be improvements in weather forecasting. For example, 
forecasts can be more precise regarding what will happen and when. 
Forecasts can provide more lead time, especially of severe weather 
events, to allow people to prepare. Forecast information can be 
communicated more effectively to the public and those in harm's way so 
we can reduce the loss of life and property.
  This bill is designed to make sure that NOAA achieves these important 
goals. H.R. 1561 draws upon the model of innovation used by the 
military services where researchers work hand in hand with those on the 
front lines to develop innovations that have real-world practical 
returns.
  The bill connects the research side of NOAA, the Office of Oceanic 
and Atmospheric Research, more effectively with the forecasting needs 
of the National Weather Service. The bill contains several provisions 
that will improve interactions and information sharing between OAR and 
NWS. It also establishes new ways for NOAA to hear from and work with 
the broader research and private weather communities.
  NOAA is not the only agency that researches weather or has 
responsibility for communicating forecast information, so the bill 
establishes interagency coordination, through the Office of Science and 
Technology Policy, across the agencies that have these 
responsibilities. This coordination will leverage our limited resources 
and more rapidly spread the adoption of best tools and practices across 
agencies.
  H.R. 1561 recognizes that the best forecasts in the world will not 
fully serve the public's needs unless we have an effective 
communications system. The bill directs NOAA to do more research, 
listen to experts, and improve its risk communication techniques. The 
bill also reestablishes a program that allows NOAA to make awards to 
people who save the lives of others through reliance on NOAA's Weather 
Radio All Hazards program.
  This bill also establishes a pilot program at NOAA to look to the 
commercial sector for weather forecasting data. This is an overdue 
effort to ensure that Federal dollars are spent effectively and 
leveraged appropriately.
  Additionally, the bill requires NOAA to run simulations of the effect 
of different configurations of instruments and datasets on forecasting 
accuracy so the agency can look at the benefits and costs of different 
arrays of sensors. It is important to make sure that these requirements 
are not too prescriptive so that NOAA is able to use the most 
efficient, accurate, and cost-effective model for the situation. I will 
continue to work with my colleagues on the other side of the aisle on 
how we can make these provisions work well.
  In summary, the changes in this bill will bring about advances that 
result in better development and deployment of forecast innovations and 
technology. Importantly, most of these changes are coming at little or 
no cost. The bill is focused on changes to internal processes rather 
than simply spending more money. To the degree that the bill does 
expand the agency's authorization for weather research, it is done in 
line with anticipated needs in this area.
  Again, I want to thank the Members on both sides of the aisle for 
their input and support. I am particularly grateful to Ms. Johnson for 
her support during negotiations as well as Mr. Lucas and Mr. 
Bridenstine. Also, I want to thank the hard-working staff on both sides 
of the aisle for their efforts to keep coming back to the table and 
helping to move this forward.
  Mr. Chairman, we also received many letters of support for H.R. 1561 
from more than 20 different organizations, including the Weather 
Coalition; the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research, which 
represents more than 100 research institutions; the Global Weather 
Corporation; the American Weather and Climate Industry Association; the 
American Commercial Space Weather Association; and many others. 
Additionally, we received letters of support from a number of 
individuals who serve on the Environmental Information Services Working 
Group, which is one of NOAA's scientific advisory bodies.
  Mr. Chairman, I ask my colleagues to support this bill.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. SMITH of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I want to first thank the 
gentlewoman from Oregon for her work on this bill. She has been a 
strong advocate and an initiator on the benefits that this bill does 
promote.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman 
from Oklahoma (Mr. Bridenstine), the chairman of the Subcommittee on 
Environment of the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology.
  Mr. BRIDENSTINE. Mr. Speaker, I would like to just echo the comments 
of my colleague from Oklahoma, the vice chairman of the Committee on 
Science, Space, and Technology, Mr. Lucas, and of course the ranking 
member, Ms. Bonamici. I think your summation of this bill is right on 
target.
  Mr. Speaker, I would like to attest that H.R. 1561, the Weather 
Research and Forecasting Innovation Act, is the very first step in what 
will lead us to a day when we have zero deaths from tornadoes. I want 
to repeat that. This is the very first step of what is necessary to 
move us to a day where we have zero deaths from tornadoes. Those of us 
from the great State of Oklahoma understand this all too well.
  Mr. Speaker, I would like to first thank Chairman Smith, Vice 
Chairman Lucas, and the Subcommittee on Environment Ranking Member 
Bonamici for their tireless efforts to see this bipartisan legislation 
move forward.
  The burgeoning commercial private sector for space-based weather data 
and aviation-based weather data has voiced its support for this 
legislation. I would like to mention letters to the Committee on 
Science, Space, and Technology from PlanetiQ, Tempus Global Data, 
Panasonic Avionics Corporation, GeoOptics, and Spire Global.
  H.R. 1561 builds on the foundation laid by my House-passed Weather 
Forecasting Improvement Act from last Congress and directs NOAA to 
prioritize activities that will save lives and protect property. This 
is critically important to my State, which is in the heart of Tornado 
Alley.
  In fact, I just went home for the weekend. Saturday night, about 
midnight, all of the tornado sirens started going off. My wife and I 
got up. We got our kids out of bed. We brought them downstairs. We set 
up their beds in my closet. My wife and I turned on the TV, and we 
surfed the Internet trying to find out where the tornadoes were and 
where they were touching down.
  This is critically important, and I am sure my experience this 
weekend, which is not unique to this weekend, is also an experience by 
many of my constituents and others throughout the State of Oklahoma. We 
must do all we can to improve our ability to predict the weather.
  H.R. 1561 will help NOAA to develop more accurate and timely warnings 
for not only tornadoes, but also hurricanes and other high-impact 
weather events. It calls on NOAA to develop a plan to regain and 
maintain our forecasting capabilities that are second to none in the 
world because right now we, unfortunately, are lagging behind our 
counterparts in Europe, the U.K., and Canada. The bill encourages 
better cooperation across NOAA offices and enhances collaboration with 
universities such as the University of Oklahoma,

[[Page H3372]]

which is a national leader in weather research.
  Mr. Speaker, I am particularly proud of a new section in this year's 
version that we have worked closely with industry, NOAA, and other 
Members of Congress to include. H.R. 1561 authorizes a pilot program 
for NOAA to purchase commercial space-based weather data and test it 
against NOAA's proprietary data. It also calls on NOAA to publish 
standards it expects from any purchased data from the commercial 
sector.
  Mr. Speaker, this has the potential to be a major paradigm shift 
provision. This is the first step towards changing the business model. 
I believe we need to change the business model, moving to a day where 
the government does not purchase, own, and operate huge monolithic 
billion-dollar satellites but, rather, utilizes the innovation of the 
private sector to provide the data necessary to feed our data 
assimilation systems and our numerical weather models.

                              {time}  1830

  This will ultimately allow NOAA to focus its resources on the 
research and development necessary to improve our modeling 
capabilities, computing capacity, and warning lead times outlined in 
this legislation.
  Mr. Speaker, I believe there will come a time when there will be zero 
deaths from tornados. I think this bill will help us implement the 
necessary steps to get there.
  I, once again, thank my colleagues on the Science Committee for all 
their hard work, and I look forward to working with our counterparts in 
the Senate to move this legislation to the President's desk.
  I encourage all my colleagues to support this bill.
  Ms. BONAMICI. Mr. Speaker, I continue to reserve the balance of my 
time
  Mr. SMITH of Texas. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 1561 has received overwhelming 
support from the weather enterprise and industry. I would like to 
mention letters of support from AccuWeather, The Weather Company, 
Science and Technology Corporation, and Carmel Research Center as well.
  Mr. Speaker, I will insert in the Record a full list of the 25 
letters of support the Science Committee received for this legislation.

Letters of Support for H.R. 1561--The Weather Research and Forecasting 
                         Innovation Act of 2015


                               Companies

       AccuWeather, American Commercial Space Weather Association, 
     Atmospheric & Space Technology Research Associates, American 
     Weather and Climate Industry Association, Carmel Research 
     Center, GeoOptics, Global Weather Corporation, MetraWeather, 
     Panasonic Avionics Corporation, Planet IQ.
       Space Environment Technologies, Spire Global, Science 
     Technology Corporation, Tempus Global Data, The Weather 
     Company, University Corporation of Atmospheric Research, Utah 
     Science Technology and Research Initiative, Utah State 
     University, Weather Coalition, Weather Decision Technologies.


 Individual Members of the Environmental Information Services Working 
                                 Group

       Walt Dabbert--Vaisala, Philip Ardanuy--Raytheon, Waren 
     Qualley--Harris, Jean Vieux--Vieux Hydrology, Julie Winkler--
     Michigan State University.

  Mr. SMITH of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I have no other request for time, 
but I just want to thank the three original cosponsors we have on the 
floor tonight--Mr. Lucas, Mr. Bridenstine, and Ms. Bonamici--for 
sponsoring such an important piece of legislation.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Ms. BONAMICI. Mr. Speaker, let me say, again, that this is a good 
bill that will improve weather forecasting innovation and services.
  The results of the changes contained in this legislation? The public 
will be safer because of more timely and more accurate forecasts that 
will protect lives and property. We will also be growing our economy 
and creating jobs through this bill.
  Researchers have found that annual variations in weather can produce 
billions of dollars in reduced U.S. gross domestic product. With stakes 
that large, we owe it to our Nation to improve weather forecasting.
  H.R. 1561 takes intelligent steps to support NOAA and to drive needed 
change in how we harness research to forecasting needs.
  Again, I want to thank the many leaders in the research community and 
the private weather sector who provided advice to the committee as we 
worked on this bill. I also want to extend my appreciation to the Under 
Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere, Dr. Kathy Sullivan, 
for her cooperation and advice.
  I will continue working with my colleagues across the aisle and in 
the other body until we have a good, final bill. Again, I thank my 
cosponsors, and I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. SMITH of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of 
H.R. 1561, the Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation Act of 2015.
  I want to take a moment to acknowledge that getting to where we are 
today was not easy. This is an update to a bill the House passed two 
years ago, and we have spent several months in this Congress 
negotiating over how to rework that legislation.
  I want to especially recognize the efforts of Environment 
Subcommittee Chairman Jim Bridenstine and Ranking Member Suzanne 
Bonamici as well as the bill's sponsor, Mr. Lucas. Their leadership and 
commitment has really driven this process forward. Today's bill is a 
testament to their dedication and represents one very positive step 
forward on the long and continuous road to improving the American 
weather forecasting system.
  America has some of the most diverse and dangerous weather events of 
any country. From my home state of Texas, all the way to Maine, 
hurricanes and tropical storms annually batter our coasts. Likewise, 
the central portions of our country, from Texas to Illinois are the 
most tornado prone areas in the entire world.
  Unfortunately, all you've had to do over the last few weeks is pick 
up a newspaper or turn on the television to see the true impact 
tornadoes can have on American families. To help our citizens cope with 
these potentially devastating events, we need to have the very best 
weather forecasting and warning capabilities.
  The National Weather Service and the Office of Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Research at NOAA play a central role in protecting the 
lives and property of every American.
  The bill before us today will help accelerate innovation and the 
transition of cutting-edge weather research into essential weather 
forecasting tools and products.
  The legislation accomplishes this goal by breaking down the barriers 
that exist between the weather research community, our nation's 
forecasters, and the private-sector weather enterprise. Improving 
collaboration and cooperation within NOAA, but also between the agency 
and the broader weather community will extend the accuracy and timing 
of our weather predictions. Such improvements will ultimately save 
lives and make our communities safer.
  Mr. Speaker, the weather is a central part of everyday life and 
resiliency to severe weather events is an important part of 
strengthening the nation's economic security. H.R. 1561 will advance 
our weather forecasting capabilities and I urge my colleagues to 
support its passage.
  Mr. SMITH of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  H.R. 1561, ``The Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation Act of 
2015,'' will greatly improve our severe weather forecasting 
capabilities. I thank the gentleman from Oklahoma, Mr. Lucas, the Vice 
Chairman of the Science Committee, for introducing this bill.
  Severe weather routinely affects large portions of the United States. 
This year we already have seen the devastating effects of tornados 
across our country, especially in Texas, Oklahoma, Missouri, Kansas, 
Alabama, and Mississippi among other states.
  The deaths and the damage from severe weather underscore our need for 
a world-class weather prediction system that helps protect American 
lives and property.
  Unfortunately, our leadership has slipped in severe weather 
forecasting. European weather models routinely predict America's 
weather better than we do. We need to make up for lost ground.
  H.R. 1561 improves weather observation systems and next generation 
modeling capabilities.
  This bill prioritizes weather research at the National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA's) research agency. This will 
improve forecasts and warnings.
  It prompts NOAA to actively engage new commercial data and private 
sector weather solutions through a corrimercial weather data pilot 
project.
  The bill requires a cost-benefit analyses for the procurement of 
observing system data.
  It increases forecast warning lead times for tornadoes and 
hurricanes. And it creates a joint technology transfer fund in NOAA's 
Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research to help speed technologies 
developed through NOAA's weather research into operation.

[[Page H3373]]

  The enhanced prediction of major storms is of great importance to 
protecting the public from injury and loss of property.
  In addition to Mr. Lucas, I also want to thank the Chairman of the 
Environment Subcommittee, the gentleman from Oklahoma, Mr. Bridenstine, 
and the Environment Subcommittee Ranking Member, the gentlewoman from 
Oregon, Ms. Bonamici, for their sponsorship of this bipartisan bill.
  I urge my colleagues to support this bill.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Texas (Mr. Smith) that the House suspend the rules and 
pass the bill, H.R. 1561, as amended.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the 
rules were suspended and the bill, as amended, was passed.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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